Tensioned top ironing table



Maljch 30, 1943'. H. B. FAY

TENsIoNED T01D IRONING TABLE Filed Feb. 14, 1941 Has.

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ENTOR. Horace E Fay. M 777 Patented Mar. 30, 1943 UNITED STATE TENSIONEDTOP IRONIN G TABLE Horace B. Fay, Willoughby, Ohio, assignor to GridironSteel Company l Application February 14, 1941, Serial No. 378,982 sclaims (ci. ca -137) The present invention relates to ironing` tablesand more particularly to an all metal ironing table which is light inweight, inexpensive to manufacture and'one which aids in the elimina.-tion of the moisture content of the fabrics being ironed.

Heretofore in the ironing vof relatively wet fabrics on ironing tableswith. wooden tops, the top itself has been somewhat absorbent ofmoisture which it gives up slowly duringthe time the board or table isnot in use.

In the case of' a metal table top, the top'is of course completelynon-absorbent and when ironing clothes and fabrics containing heavywater contents, some of such moisture collects on the' metal top andremains after the ironing operationy thus keeping the pad moistas itdoes not rapidly vaporize unless such moisture is ironed off.

Where the board is ventilated the moisture -is more rapidly dissipatedbut certain disadvantages are present due to the fact that if moistureis driven through the Ventilating openings in the board it tends tocondense and accumulate either on the bottom surface of the board or onthe relatively cool surfaces of the metal leg structure, from which,under certain conditions, it may actually drop off on the oor or bewiped of on the fabric being ironed, thereby causing spots anddiscoloration as the collected Water is liable to be dirty.

In the present invention I have provided means for Ventilating the topsurface of the board and have at the same time provided a pan orcollecting chamber which mayl afterwards be emptied if necessary andwhich prevents any water o r accumulation from being brought intosoiling con` tact with the clothes or fabrics being ironed.

Such a pan also holds the heat and reflects it back through the pad,thus aiding in driving off the moisture in the form of water vapor andin certain instances it may be desirable to make the pan of highreflective material tov obtain the insulation effect thereof or toinsert a sheet of reflective type insulation material therein for likepurpose.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter` fully described andparticularly pointed out in the `claims; the annexed drawing and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain structureembodying the invention, such disclosed structure constituting,A

however, but one of various forms in which the principle of theinvention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an ironing table embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the same showing the tensioning means;

Fig. 3 is a modified type of frame construction with the coveringremoved;

Fig. 4 is a broken plan view with parts shown in section to show theenvelope construction;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View on the line l 5 5 of Fig. 1showing reflector material mounted y in the envelope; and

Fig. 6 is a figure similar to Fig. 5, but of a modied construction,

As best shown in Fig. 1, the present invention consists of an ironingtable having a folding leg stand or structure 20 and a metal top orironing board 2|. This top onboard consists of a transversely expansibleframe 22A here shown as being formed -of a hollow rectangular tubing,but which, of course, can be formed of any suitable metal shape, thepresent form giving a great strength and rigidity for its weight.

This frame 22 is formed to the shape of a conventional ironing board,having the usual forward tapered portion 23 with a rounded nose 2d and amain substantially rectangular rear portion 25, the ends 26 of thetubing forming the rear and being provided with a snugly fitting plug 21upon whichthe ends 26 may move slightly to obtain the required expansionof the frame.

The means for tensioning or expanding the frame may be varied to suitconditions and in Fig. 2 I have shown such means as a series ofA doublearms 28, 28a and 28h the number being, of course, determined by thelength of the board and the movement and tension required. These doublearms are pivotally connected together at their inner ends and aremovably mounted in the tubular frame, being so arranged that movementrearwardly of their pivots 29, 29a and 29h forces the side members ofthe frame apart, the angle between each pair of arms being such as toprovide the necessary frame movement to properly tension the coveringmaterial.

To move the arms, they are connected by a rod or wire Si@ at the pivotsand a rod 3i extends from the rear pivot 2gb through the plug 2l and hasa threaded end 33 on which is mounted a nut 3ft by which the rod may bedrawn rearwardly, thus moving each pair of arms to spread the frame.

Mounted over the frame is an envelope 35 of metal, which is preformed tothe shape of the frame andV drawn over the latter when said frame isunexpanded. After this cover or envelope is in place the frame may beexpanded to placel such cover or envelope under s'uilicient tension toform the top surface into a taut sheet which will support the weight ofthe iron and the ironing pressure without sagging.

The top surface 36 of such envelope is preferably preformed into anopenwork sheet, and I have shown it cut away from the two side frameymembers into a series of parallel spaced ribbons 31, spaced closeenough to forma satisfactory ironing surface. It is, of course, obviousthat any desired pattem'oi cut outs could be employed.'

, suitable manner. The envelope may be made of material such that theinner or upper surface of the bottom 38 may have a high reflective eiectand thus act as insulation for the area below the same and help toreflect the heat back through the openwork top as shown in Figure 6 oras best shown in Fig. a sheet I6 of reflector type insulation materialmay be mounted on the bottom 3l to accomplish the same result.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, I have shown a frame Il in which theexpansion members l2, 42a and #2b are illustrated as being continuousand to obtain tensioning of the envelope I have made such expansionmembers of metal or metal alloy having a much greater coeicient ofexpansion than that of the sheet metal envelope and frame. In applyingsuch envelope, it should be heated to expand it slightly and should havea snug iit in such heated condition. Then upon cooling it will tensionitself and in use the heat applied to the board will cause the members42 and 42a, and 42h to expand more rapidly than the frame or theenvelope, thus automatically increasing the tension exerted by thecross-members and maintaining the ironing surface. The leg` stand willbe secured to the frame or to brackets 50 attached to the frame throughsuitable openings in the envelope so as to allow limited transversemovement, or the brackets may be applied after tensioning the frame to amaximum under heat so as to aid in maintaining the expanded condition ofthe frame and the tautness of the ironing surface.

In use the board, of course, will have the usual pad and shield appliedover the upper surface of the board or top and as moisture and watervapor are forced downwardly through the open spaces between the vribbonsor the openwork top portion of the envelope, any condensation or directmoisture will slowly accumulate in the pan,` from which it mayafterwards be removed in any suitable manner. In employing an envelopeof sheet metal which may be Welded or soldered together into an integralsheet, it is of course necessary to use very thin sheets so thatsuilicie'nt tension may be applied to obtain a iiat ironing surfacewhich will notfsag under the ironing pressure. Such metal willpreferably be of not more than .015 inch in thickness and with such thinsheets, a relatively large and thin tubular frame may be used to givelongitudinal strength to the table. By using such materials a table topof light weight approximating that of a wooden top may be made.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structureherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of an expansibleframe and a thin metal envelope snugly iitting said frame and having thetop surface provided with ventilating openings, and means for expandingsaid frame to tension said envelope to provide a taut non-saggingironing surface.

2. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination Vof any expansibleframe and a thin metal envelope snugly fitting said frame and having thetop surface provided with Ventilating openings, the bottom portion ofsaid envelope being solid to provide a moisture collecting pan, andmeans for expanding said frame to tension said envelope to provide ataut non-sagging ironing surface.'

3. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of an expansibleframe and a thin metal envelope snugly fitting said frame and having thetop surface provided with Ventilating openings and means for expandingsaid frame consisting of a plurality of expansible cross arms mounted insaid frame and adapted to expand said frame transversely to tension saidenvelope to provide a taut non-sagging ironing surface.

4. In an ironing table, the combination of a metal table top consistingof an expansible frame including side members and a thin sheet metalenvelope snugly fitting thereover, means for expanding the side membersof said frame transversely of the top to tension said envelope to form ataut ironing surface, and a folding stand for said frame, said standbeing movably mounted on said frame through said envelope to allowexpansion thereof.

5v5. In an ironing table, the Vcombination of a metal table topconsisting of an expansible frame including side members and a thinsheet metal envelope snugly tting thereover, means for expanding theside members of said frame transversely of the top to tension saidenvelope to form a taut ironing surface, and a folding stand for saidframe, said stand having folding legs and transversely mounted attachingbrackets secured'to said frame through said envelope and capable oflimited transverse movement with respect thereto to allow for theexpansion of said frame.

6. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of a frame ofironing board shape, a thin metal envelope snugly fitting said frame,the top l portion of such envelope being provided with ventilatingopenings, the upper surface of the bottom portion of said envelope beingprovided with an upwardly facing, heat reflecting surface.

. 7. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of a frame ofironing board shape, a thin metal envelope snugly tting said frame, thetop portion of such envelope being provided with Ventilating openings,and a sheet of reiiector type insulation material mounted on the uppersurface'of the bottom sheet of said envelope.

8. In a metal top for ironing tables, the combination of a frame ofironing-board shape, a thin metal envelope snugly surrounding said frameand including a top sheet and connected bottom sheet, the top sheetbeing provided with ventilating openings, and the lower sheet 'beingprovided with an upwardly facing, heat reflective surface.

HORACE B. FAY.

